Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Third Report - Strengthening Home Education
Education Committee
HC 84
Published 26 July 2021
Government response
Strengthening Home Education: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report · published 26 Oct 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
6
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 41
Covid-19 appears to have driven a further rise in EHE numbers, the long-term impact of...
Recommendation
Covid-19 appears to have driven a further rise in EHE numbers, the long-term impact of which is not yet known. During the covid-19 pandemic, some may have found that educating at home worked better for them. However, some parents may …
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Government Response Summary
The government outlines existing guidance for exclusions that directs parents to free information services and expects a similar approach for EHE. It also mentions a future duty on local authorities to provide support, but does not specifically address the recommendation for independent advocates.
Department for Education
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8
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 43
When a pupil is excluded from school for more than five non-consecutive days in a...
Recommendation
When a pupil is excluded from school for more than five non-consecutive days in a school year, the pupil and their parents or carers should be given access to an independent advocate to help them navigate the process. Families considering …
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Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to providing independent advocates for excluded pupils or families considering EHE, instead pointing to existing information and advice services. It deferred further details on broader support for home-educating families to a future consultation response.
Department for Education
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16
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 71
Local authorities told us that they lack sufficient powers.
Recommendation
Local authorities told us that they lack sufficient powers. It seems to us that the grey area in the Departmental guidance—where there is no legal duty for parents to respond to enquiries about EHE, but the local authority is entitled …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that the issues of local authority powers regarding EHE and the 'grey area' in guidance were not within the scope of the Children Not In School consultation and therefore would not be addressed in its response.
Department for Education
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21
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 87
We heard that there is a lack of consistency in the approach local authorities take...
Conclusion
We heard that there is a lack of consistency in the approach local authorities take to support EHE. Departmental guidance is ambiguous and does not provide the necessary clarity on what is expected of them. Ofsted told us that for …
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Government Response Summary
The government reiterates that Ofsted already assesses local authorities' EHE work during Children’s Social Care inspections, but does not address the conclusion's points about lack of consistency, ambiguous guidance, or Ofsted considering new oversight methods.
Department for Education
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23
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 89
On the whole, local authorities did not see themselves as potential ‘inspectors’ in the Ofsted...
Recommendation
On the whole, local authorities did not see themselves as potential ‘inspectors’ in the Ofsted mould—even though the former Children’s Commissioner called for “at least a once a year, if not once a term” inspection. However, some local authorities would …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that Ofsted already assesses local authorities' EHE work as part of Children’s Social Care inspections, but this does not address the recommendation for local authorities to have clear abilities to seek reassurance that EHE is suitable.
Department for Education
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28
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Given the rise in EHE numbers and lack of consistent support from local authorities, the...
Recommendation
Given the rise in EHE numbers and lack of consistent support from local authorities, the Department should commission and roll out a national training package for all local authority officers with responsibility for EHE—developed with a wide range of stakeholders—so …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that while it is committed to a registration system for children not in school, decisions on local authority implementation are yet to be made and may or may not include the recommended national training package for EHE officers.
Department for Education
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